Being discharged from the hospital often comes with a huge sigh of relief. Many are grateful to finally be back home, even if they face a long road to recovery. However, some recently discharged patients watch as their condition crumbles. Family members often feel hopeless but suspect that their loved one did not receive adequate treatment before discharge. Call Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC to speak with an Atlanta medical malpractice attorney. In this article, we review some red flags that a hospital discharged a patient too early or did not provide adequate treatment.
Unexpected Death
This is the most extreme example. If a beloved family member dies within a couple days of being discharged, then this is a sign they did not receive competent care while in the hospital. The only exception is if their condition was terminal.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
These are signs that a patient picked up an infection in the hospital, which is causing the nausea. Elderly patients are particularly at risk of serious complications when they have extended diarrhea, but any patient might grapple with a significant infection and end up back in the hospital.
Excessive or Persistent Pain
Most patients feel some level of pain, especially if they had surgery. However, pronounced or ceaseless often means that a patient is still struggling with a serious medical condition. The hospital might have provided the wrong treatment or committed malpractice during surgery.
Instead of masking pain with medication, try to uncover the cause. This might mean visiting a new doctor for a second opinion. Suppose the surgeon left an implement behind during surgery, which is pressing against an organ. A second doctor might uncover that fact, which is proof you were the victim of malpractice.
Unreachable Doctor
A doctor who committed malpractice might cut off all contact after discharging a patient. Essentially, the doctor is hiding. Being unable to reach a doctor is a red flag that something went wrong in the hospital.
When the medical provider gives patients the run around, then it is time to investigate. You should reach out to a medical malpractice attorney with questions.
Respiratory Problems
Difficulty breathing is often a sign of continuing health problems. A patient who cannot breathe deeply is at risk of developing pneumonia and could pass out from lack of oxygen. Respiratory problems are some of the most significant health problems a person can suffer, so you should receive immediate treatment.
Continued Weight Loss
Losing weight is normal when a person is sick. Nonetheless, weight loss should be within reasonable bounds, and a patient should start gaining weight as their health improves. If you were discharged and continue to lose dramatic amounts of weight, then your underlying condition might not have been cured.
No Instructions for Wound Care
Wounds need regular cleaning, and hospitals should provide instructions for patients on how to treat their wounds at home. When a patient receives no instructions, or only vague instructions, then they can injure themselves. The lack of instruction is a red flag that a medical team has not fulfilled their duty of care to patients.
What Steps to Take Next
Hospitals and doctors rarely admit mistakes, so patients are left putting together the pieces of what went wrong. Fortunately, patients have legal rights to compensation when they were hurt by malpractice. You should do the following:
- Reach out to your doctor. There might be an innocent reason you haven’t heard from them or why you continue to feel pain. At least try to contact them.
- See a new doctor for a second opinion. Your primary physician might tell you that nothing is wrong and you are “fine.” You know your body better than your doctor does. Find a new physician and schedule an appointment for a second opinion.
- Keep all medical records, bills, and other paperwork related to your case. These are important when determining if a doctor committed malpractice, as well as proving your losses.
Contact a medical malpractice attorney if you have questions. No one is guaranteed to get well after a stint in the hospital. However, when your provider fails to follow the standard of care, you might be able to sue for compensation.
Call Chance, Forlines, Carter & King Today
Our firm has taken on many of Atlanta’s hospitals, so we know patients face long odds in their quest for financial compensation. Contact us as soon as you can to schedule a meeting. We will go over your prognosis, as well as why you think you did not receive adequate medical care.